New York doctors must report the names of people living with HIV and AIDS and notify their sexual partners under legislation approved early Friday.
The state Assembly passed the sweeping notification measure 112-34 after two hours of heated debate that pitted civil liberties concerns against public health needs.Under the legislation, health-care workers must try to get infected patients to identify any former sexual partners who may be at risk and then notify them. Currently, doctors have the option of telling partners about the virus in some cases, but health workers say they fear lawsuits if they do so.
The state Senate had already passed the bill, which advocates say is among the most far-reaching in the nation.
Critics say requiring such reporting will deter some people from seeking testing and treatment.